Victoria’s best-dressed teddy bears are getting new bling for Christmas.
The 14th annual Bear Wear holiday event kicked off at Hotel Grand Pacific on Monday.
Bear Wear is a holiday display of large teddy bears dressed up by local businesses, organizations, and individuals.
It is a fundraiser of the Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island.
For a suggested minimum $2 donation, visitors can enter a raffle to win their favourite bear at the end of the event. The bears often come with valuable extras – show tickets, books, treats and other add-ons.
Funds raised through bear sponsorships and raffle entry donations support the health of kids through Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island.
“[Bear Wear] brings awareness of the foundation and the work we’re doing,” said Jackie Adamthwaite, manager of special events for the foundation.
The public is invited to tour the lobby of the Hotel Grand Pacific, 463 Belleville St., to view the bears, free of charge, until Jan. 4.
In 2013, Bear Wear raised more than $25,000 in support of children’s health programs.
For further information, please go online to childrenshealthvi.org/events/bear-wear.
